This week, the White House released its budget proposal for FY2019, which proposes the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides approximately $183 million in direct funding to libraries through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The budget proposal also eliminates the $27 million Innovative Approaches to Literacy program administered by the Department of Education.

What You Can Do Now

Congress will have the final say on the budget. Now is the time to let them know how important federal library funding is. Use the ALA Action Center to send your Representatives a ready-to-use email that asks for their public support of library funding throughout the FY2019 appropriations cycle. Then encourage your friends, family, colleagues and library supporters to do so as well.

The ALA Public Programs Office has invited school libraries to apply for a $5,000 award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Eligible humanities programs may be focused in many subject areas, including social studies, poetry, drama, art, music, language arts, foreign language and culture. Programs should focus on broadening perspectives and helping students understand the world and their place in it. They should be initiated and coordinated by the school librarian and exemplify the role of the library program in advancing the overall educational goals of the school.

Nominated programs must have taken place during the current school year (2017-18). Programs that are still in progress as of the award deadline are eligible, and libraries are encouraged to self-nominate.

The award is selected annually by a committee comprising members of the ALA Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee (PCPAC), the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC).

Yesterday, several Idaho Library Association board members went to the Capital on behalf of all Idaho librarians. We met with both senators and representatives, Democrats and Republicans, to lobby for support of Idaho’s libraries, librarians, and services. It was a day full of meetings, information sharing, and some librarian shenanigans!

We talked about the importance of transferring the Talking Book Service back to state controlled funds. It is currently funded by federal grants. This will ensure its continuity despite vulnerable IMLS funding. We talked with Congress about creating standards for Idaho’s school librarians, both in job classification and in pay. We asked for funding for broadband as well as passing a resolution to honor Boundary County as America’s Best Small Library. The Boundary County Library was given this award by Library Journal and the Idaho Library Association asked that the legislature honor them in Congress.

If you have ever wondered what the Idaho Library Association does, aside from throw a yearly conference, this is part of it. We ensure that members of Congress think about libraries in matters of funding and priorities. We meet with them to discuss literacy, education, and access for all Idahoans. Your membership helps enact real results for Idaho’s many libraries. If you would like to get involved; become a member, run for a board position, or join one of our committees! Our association is made of librarians just like you!

A special thank you to the Congresspeople we were able to meet with yesterday. These included Speaker Bedke, President Pro Tempore Hill, Senator Winder, Representative Moyle, Senator Stennett, Representative Erpelding, Senator Keough, Representative Bell, Senator Mortimer and Representative VanOrden.

Idaho Library Association Board approved partnering with Every Library to help get the Talking Books back to the state funding - where they need to be - in order to provide stable funding for everyone - with visual or physical impairment - to gain access to information.

So many people we've talked to who use the service say that it changed their life - it saved their life - and they are so scared this funding will go away.

Idaho Day, March 4, was established to commemorate the creation of the Idaho Territory by President Abraham Lincoln on that day in 1863.

Idaho Day is a way for communities to come together and celebrate the Gem State.

As part of the celebration, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) offers public libraries the opportunity to hold a special book read and discussion for their patrons. The ICfL shares Idaho-themed books with participating libraries. There are 13 available titles from which to choose. Please visit the ICfL’s Idaho Day page for more information, including the book list: http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/idaho-day. If you have questions about the book read, please contact the ICfL’s Karen Parsons at: 208-334-2150 / 800-458-3271 / karen.parsons@libraries.idaho.gov.

The theme chosen for Idaho Day 2018 is a patriotic one, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the Armistice of 11 November 1918 -- the armistice that ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Allies and their last opponent, Germany.

Of the available titles for the book read, three have a patriotic (Civil War) theme. Those are:

March is a novel. “Reverend March, the husband and father from Louisa May Alcott’s LittleWomen, leaves Connecticut to become an army chaplain during the Civil War.”

America’s War is an anthology of readings about the Civil War. (Your patrons could read/discuss just a section of this book, rather than the entire book, if desired.)

Crossroads to Freedom: Antietam describes the pivotal battle of Antietam. (Your patrons could read/discuss just a section of this book, rather than the entire book, if desired.)

The Idaho Day event at the Statehouse will held Monday, March 5, 2018 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., in the Lincoln Auditorium.

And, if you would like to learn more about the Idaho Commission for Libraries, we will host a table at the Statehouse, 1st floor, Rotunda, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 5th. Stop by and say hello -- and check out some of the ideas and offerings from the ICfL.

The ILA Conference Program Committee is currently accepting proposals for pre-conference workshops and conference presentations for the 2018 annual conference that will take place October 4-6, 2018, at the Best Western University Inn in Moscow, Idaho. The theme for the conference this year is Libraries Rock! We are especially interested in proposals that focus on ways libraries have impacted their communities. We welcome proposals for sessions including pre-conference workshops (full and half-day), 60 minute sessions, and posters.

Please note that presenters who are selected will be responsible for their own lodging, meals, and other travel expenses, but will be offered a reduced registration rate for the conference.

The submission deadline is March 5, 2018. Applicants will be notified in April whether they were selected. Please use the online submission form to submit your proposal at:

Many of us know those special librarians who invest their time and talent to make positive changes in the profession of librarianship. They are the ones taking risks to further the cause of the industry and working tirelessly for change within library organizations. They are the ones inspiring their colleagues to excel and encouraging others to accomplish the impossible. If you know a librarian who has brought about significant, constructive change in our profession, nominations are now open for the Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award.

This biennial award recognizes librarians as leaders and innovators making individual groundbreaking efforts to improve the field and exhibiting commitment to the library community. The 2016 recipient of this award was Nancy Bolt of Nancy Bolt & Associates and formerly the Colorado State Library for work that included leading the co-creation of the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification Program and championing the Colorado Library Card, which centered on collaboration between public, academic and school libraries throughout the state.

ALA is currently accepting nominations for this award through Thursday, February 1, 2018. The prize consists of $1,000 and a 24-karat gold-framed citation. The award is funded by contributions to the Elizabeth Futas Memorial Fund at the American Library Association. To find out more information about the award, including how to nominate candidates, please visit http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/elizabeth-futas-catalyst-change-award.

The H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant is an annual award consisting of $3,500 and a 24k gold-framed citation given to a library organization whose application demonstrates greatest merit for a program of staff development designed to further the goals and objectives of the library organization.

Approve November minutes - Beverly requested that if anyone had changes/corrections to the November 2017 meeting minutes please send them to her. Stephanie Bailey White moved that the November meeting minutes be approved with corrections and additions. Ben seconded. Motion passed.

Approve December minutes - Beverly stated that the December meeting minutes were previously sent out to everyone. Ann Joslin stated that she found one correction in item 7 "it should state that the legislative session begins in January not February. Ann moved that the December meeting minutes be approved with this correction. Ben seconded. Motion passed.

Additions to the agenda - Amy asked if there were any additions to the agenda.

Prepare and decide on legislative agenda - John Thill stated that he had met with John Watts a few weeks ago. He stated at present there are two items that the legislators will be asked to approve in the coming weeks. They are:

ICfL funding request for Talking Books funding to be moved from the state level to ICfL and Broadband reimbursements for Public Libraries.

A Proclamation creating a day of recognition for Boundary County as best Small/ Rural Library of the year.

Discussion followed about how to reach out to legislators and the ability to bring more awareness to each of them about what is really going on in libraries across the state. Stephanie Bailey- White stated that the Braille Celebrations that were happening in Burley is a great way to show the importance of the Talking Books and how we reach many patrons across the state.

Amy stated that she had met with Roger Brown and he is willing to work with ILA to teach us how to advocate differently , he will also advise us on when to send advocating letters to our representatives and who to send them to. He is willing to help ILA with a new approach so that we may better serve the libraries in Idaho.

John Thill also stated that the Proclamation for Bounday County Day--is in draft form and that it has been sent to Representative Sage Dixon and Senator Shawn Keough.

CSLP Teen Video Challenge - Jeannie wanted to let everyone know that ILA is sponsoring this year's Teen Video Challenge" and that it will be launching shortly and is hoping to reach more parts of the state. Jeannie stated that the winner will receive $100.00 and the public library that the winner represents will receive $50.00.

Libraries and early literacy - Stephanie wanted to let the group know about SmartyAnts--a Foundation for literacy for children ages up to 4 years old and all the resources that will be available when it launches. As yet there is no launch date set. Stay tuned for more information.

Save the date - Amy wanted to let everyone know about some dates that were coming up in the near future. Lee Rainey will be speaking about "Fake News on April 2, 2018 at Boise State and on April 3, 2018 for 6:00-9:00 pm at the Boise Public Library.

(Erin Downey, Bev McKay, Ann Joslin, Amy Vecchione - anyone else?)- Amy stated that there is training available for Nonprofit Center basics on January 11, 2018 @10:00 am. Erin, Beverly, Ann and Amy are planning on attended and wondered if anyone else is interested? The cost is $120.00 per person to attend. This cost covers only the attendance few and nothing else. Stephanie Bailey- White stated she would also like to attemd. John moved that ILA pay for between 5-7 board members to attend and cover the cost up to $200.00 per person. Erin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Current budget status - Amy stated that Jane C. was absent today, however she is hoping to have a consolidated budget out to the board via email later in the week.

Conference report and update - Ben stated that there really wasn't any updates today. There will be a call for presentation that will be due in March. He also stated that Pre-Conference proposals will go out soon.

Confirm 2019 Conference Site Selection - Amy stated that this will happen at the February meeting. She did also state that the site for the 2019 conference has been chosen. It will be at the Nampa Convention Center in Nampa.

President updates: Election recruitment, advocacy efforts beyond legislative lobbying - Amy reminded everyone to reach out to people to see if they are interested in being part the ILA board.

For next time - request from Irene Gonzales, SBA --Amy stated that Irene Gonzales would like to attend our next board meeting to discuss ways to partner together. Amy and John both stated that she is great to work with. Amy will reach out and invite her to our February Meeting.